How The Soothsaying Started

My contact is trustworthy

The gray walls were now smeared in blood, my blood, from when the torturer cleansed his hands. I was ravaged in scars, bruises, cuts, and even flayed skin. The wounds were so small, not enough to cause real pain, but were annoying and bled readily.

“My sweet. Would you like to taste this wood again?” The torturer asked humbly, as if in love with Rose.

“You’re a damn poor excuse for a lover, you sick dog!” Rose was obviously not happy with the question. The man responded by clubbing her in the head, which gave Rose a serious headache, unfortunately, she didn’t have time to find out why the man was untying the knot in his pants.

After meandering about the city of Pori, the group of travelers were finally equipped for the party. Their clothing had secret pockets for all types of weapons. Admin had his drawing utensils with him. Nicklaus carried a dagger for the hell of it, as well as the rest of the group. Nicklaus(or Nick, as Kaza had begun to call him, Charles and Admin had a good laugh over that) had disguised the group under the veil of magic, creating them to look like royalty; all except Charles who simply wore his newly polished armour. Their group was to be sent off into different directions with the girls pitted against the boys for this mission. They had to gather information whilst keeping their mentality and demeanor in the process, mostly about the Weght and the locations of Rose.

The girls giggled over their beautifully colored dresses, and the boys complimented Admin on his fine handiwork for the suits.

Once inside the courtyard, they split up. Admin and Charles taking a left down the hall, Lily and Snow going ahead to the main garden in the middle of the palace, and Nicklaus with Kaza going to the ballroom, most likely so he could drink.

I made my way past the ballroom, after pointing Nick to the bar. How can he drink at the age of 17? I absolutely despise the taste of liquor. I disregarded his actions, he was indeed cute, but what mattered was my contact.
I weaved my way between nobility and slaves, looking for my old friend. I finally spotted him in the corner, nursing a large glass of ale. I walked slowly up to him, wondering if he would remember my birth name.

“Kaherdin!” He said happily, reaching over to grab my arm. “How long has it been! I do believe you were just a wee thing, barely ten years old, and now! Here you are, all grown up!”

I laughed lightly. “It is indeed pleasant to see you again, Dimitre, but we have pressing matters to discuss.” Dimi immediately sobered up, motioning for me to follow him, leading me to a place where we could talk without fear of eavesdroppers.

Nicklaus looked up from his ale. He had no idea where Kaza had gone, and she was the key part in the whole plan. He silently cursed himself for getting distracted by the cold..golden...delicious looking...NO. No more ale. He had to find Kaza.

Dimitre shut the door. “Now, Kaherdin. How may I be of assistance?” He asked, a fatherly smile crossing his lips.

“I need information. About… The Weght. And a certain fellow named Discord. Can you help?” I asked, fearful that the answer would be a solid No.

“My dear girl. My only wish was to serve your father, and I never had the chance. I will follow you as I followed him. If it is information you want, it’s information you will get.” Dimitre told me quietly. I was just about to thank him when Nicklaus slammed into the room, knife drawn.

“Where are the little cowards who would steal a woman!” He shouted, fumbling around.

Dimitre was stunned, unsure whether he should draw his sword. He glanced at me nervously. I shook my head, silently telling him to not kill the blumbering idiot.

Kaza sighed as she pulled another splinter out of Nicklaus’s face. He had ran into a wood-paneled wall during his mad run through the palace, and now he was bleeding profusely.

“As I was saying,” Dimitre continued. “The Weght is centered in the Hasaae Dessert, which is nearly impossible to cross, unless on dragonback, and I am sure that your dragonborn friend cannot conjure up six fully grown drago-”

“How did you know that Lily Belle was a dragonborn?” Nicklaus interrupted. “How can we be sure we can trust you? He seems suspicious to me, Kaza.”

“Young man, I assure-” Dimitre started.

“Nick. Dimitre was deeply loyal to my father. They took the Blood Oath together in their youth. In my village, it is a very sacred and ancient art that is to be respected. It would not be forgotten lightly.” Nicklaus’s cheeks deepened in color, clearly ashamed.

“Well said, Lady Kaherdin.” Dimitre said proudly. “As I was saying, The Weght is nearly impossible to reach by land, so you will have to be cunning. You must achieve your goal. It is imperative to the survival of not just this kingdom and yours, but for all the kingdoms. From the Middluns to Birn, to Lienid. All depend on you.”

“No pressure.” Nicklaus sputtered.